Toshiba's US unit is nearing a deal estimated at almost $5 billion to build a nuclear reactor in Bulgaria, a report said Thursday, as Japanese firms eye atomic contracts overseas after the Fukushima crisis erased demand at home.

Panama President Ricardo Martinelli on Monday blamed the Panama Canal's former administrator for the crisis surrounding its massive expansion project -- where work has been halted over a billion-dollar payment dispute.

Nuclear engineers in Japan are readying to move uranium and plutonium fuel rods at Fukushima in their most difficult and dangerous task since the plant's runaway reactors were brought under control two years ago.

The protocol of intentions to create an engineering plant and a diversified enterprise for production of spare parts for Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has been signed by Kyzylorda oblast administration and KTZ.